Sidewalk snow removal

Ordinance

Salt Lake City has received calls inquiring about ordinance 14.020.070 (Snow to be Removed from Sidewalks) which states that the owner or occupant of a property must remove snow and ice from their whole sidewalk adjacent to their property within 24 hours after a storm. Please refer to the ordinance for full legal information.

This ordinance applies to all businesses and residents.

The ordinance requires snow to be removed from the whole width of your sidewalk and includes ADA ramps which go out to the street.

Help others, volunteer your time and equipment to assist the elderly or disabled by contacting your local church or the Community Service Council at 978-2452, help your neighbor or friend, help others in need. We all need assistance once in a while.

Why the Ordinance Exists

The ordinance protects the safety of every individual in Salt Lake City. It is important that the snow be removed from your sidewalk so people are able to walk and ride safely out of vehicular traffic. Under ADA regulations accessibility to sidewalks for disabled individuals is required.

Precipitation Standard

Salt Lake City uses the National Weather Service as a standard to measure when precipitation has ended.

Fines

Ordinance 14.020.110 declares a fine of $75 for violation of the ordinance. A ticket can be issued every day for failure to comply. If the fine is paid within 15 days it is reduced to $25. If the fine is paid within 25 days it is reduced to $50.

Enforcement

Salt Lake City Department of Public Services enforces the ordinance. Employees from the Compliance Division are ticketing for violations. Call 535-6628 to report a violation.

Understanding when a ticket will be issued

We rely on complaints from concerned citizens to enforce the ordinance. Please call compliance at 535-6628 to report a violation.

You have 24 hours from the end of precipitation to clear your entire sidewalk. You are in violation if you only make one path the size of your snow blower down the sidewalk.

If a violator has not cleared the sidewalk from a storm which occurred over 24 hours ago, the city can issue a ticket to the owner, lessor, or occupant of the property. Pictures are taken for proof of violation.

Remember to remove snow from your sidewalks for every storm. We will ticket for compacted, iced snow from previous storms even when there is a slight flurry occurring the same day of violation.

Violators may be given a ticket for each day they are not in compliance.

Report a violation

Call 535-6628 to report a sidewalk snow removal violation. Please be prepared with the exact address. If it is a business, provide the name of the business which the property is adjacent to.

Pay a violation

Salt Lake Justice Court web site

Payments can be mailed or paid in person to

Salt Lake City Justice Court
333 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Dispute a ticket

You may appear at 333 South 200 East during regular working hours to discuss your notice with a hearing officer.